Awards

Grassroot Diplomat Announces Diplomatic and Political Award Winners

IMMEDIATE RELEASE5 March, 2015

London, UK – March 5, 2015 – Diplomatic consultancy Grassroot Diplomat today hosted a star-studded even to announce the political and diplomatic winners for the 3rd Annual Grassroot Diplomat Initiative Awards at The May Fair Hotel.
Amongst the winners were Councillor Karen Ballamy of Waltham Forest for her inspiring work on poverty action, Ambassador of Kuwait HE Khaled Al-Duwaisan who is the longest serving diplomat working to combat religious extremism, Director of Bridget Jones 2 Baroness Beeban Kidron OBE on her campaign on FilmClub and the internet iRights project, Palestinian Representative Professor Manuel Hassassian for his outstanding contribution on raising Palestinian issues, Minister of Business, Innovation and Skills George Freeman MP for his rural entrepreneur leadership with The Norfolk Way, and the Ambassador of Tunisia HE Nabil Ammar on his efforts to re-connect businesses and civil society past the Arab Spring revolution.
The Grassroot Diplomat Initiative Awards recognises the achievements of UK-based diplomats and politicians who are representing civilian interests at the highest level. Winners were chosen out of 60 shortlisted nominees including Dame Tessa Jowell MP, Harriet Harman MP, and Permanent Under Secretary Julian Brazier MP in the mix.
Grassroot Diplomat also provided the title of ‘Honouree’ to Romanian consul Dr Razvan Constantinescu, Gibraltar Representative Albert Poggio OBE, Baroness Finlay of Llandaff for her important work on changing medical legislations, the Mayor of Lambeth Councillor Adedamola Aminu, Frank Field MP on his dynamic work on climate change, and the Ambassador of Bahrain HE Alice Thomas Samaan. Talyn Rahman-Figueroa, the founder and Executive Director of Grassroot Diplomat notes: “The Grassroot Diplomat Initiative Award is an amazing collection of government representatives who have proven themselves to be the voice of businesses and civil society, everywhere. I hope to create a culture of positive role models and bring trust back into our politics through our winners and outstanding nominees.”

This year the 29-year-old Director wore a jewel-encrusted Moroccan dress by Maxim as part of her diplomatic representation of the world.

DR RAZVAN CONSTANTINESCU
Romania, Bristol
2015

Dr Constantinescu successfully recruited a team of 25 volunteers of all ages and diverse ethnicity to organise Bristol’s first ever Voting Station for the Romanian Community. Approximately 4,000 Romanians live in South West England and the facilitation of this important occasion helped to establish strong relations between different communities in the area. Dr Constantinescu also initiated charity project “From Bristol with Love” in March 2014 with the simple aim of delivering aid to disadvantaged communities in Romania. In less than 8 months, he and his team of volunteers delivered over 88 boxes of clothes, toys, and educational equipment to Romanian orphanages in partnership with coach travel companies.

About Grassroot Diplomat

Grassroot Diplomat is a non-profit diplomatic consultancy that aims to bridge the gap between civil society and political leaders. As an independent agency, Grassroot Diplomat shows no allegiance to a solitary government but will act in the interest of the people, no matter where they are or what state their country is in. We provide assistance in strengthening policy-related projects and matchmaking with relevant government officials and institutional bodies that can make a difference. Nina Maxwell (voicemail): +44 (0) 207 608 5532 media@grassrootdiplomat.org www.grassrootdiplomat.org
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